Thomas l



(NoMo'del.) y

T. L. RIVERS,

HAME TUG.

Patented Nov. 17,I 1885..

w. m 1 m. .d UJ j, Il

I UNH-ED STATES PATENT Orrrca THOMAS L. RIVERS, OE MONTOLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

. HAlVlE-TUG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 330,517, dated November 17, 1885.

Application filed August 11, 18:15. Serial No. 174,146. (No model.)

1b a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS L. Rrvnns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvenient in Hame-Tugs, of which the following is a specication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and in which- Figure l is a plan view of a hame-tug emto bodying my improvements with the leather covering detached partially. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on theline x :v of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detached perspective view of one of the sections. Fig. 4 is a detailed View of the end plate. Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the tongue.

Like letters of reference in the several drawings denote corresponding parts.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates a haine-tug embodying my invention 2o and composed of a series of sections, B, a trace-carrier, C, and a trace-plate, D. The trace carrier and plate O D are of the form shown in my pending application filed May 20, 1885, Serial N o. 166,293, and need not be here specically described, the invention in the present instance relating more particularly to the peculiar connection between the sections ofthe tug. Each of the sectionsB comprises a single casting and is made skeletonin 3o form for strength and lightness.

Iwill now describe the particular construction of one ofthe sections, but it will be understood that each section B is constructed in accordance with the following description.

The section is rounded on its upper surface, as at c, and has cast therewith an upwardly projecting frame, d, preferably rectangular or square in form, and provided with an opening, d, having notches d2 at one end communicating therewith, in which openings are adapted to fit the engaging shoulder e and flanges e', respectively, of the trace-plate D, which is provided with a spring actuated pivoted latch, D', and is connected at one end to the trace to connect said trace to any one of the recesses d d2, thus accommodating traces of different lengths. At one end the section B is cut away or bifurcated, as at f, and provided with notches f at their inner 5o portions, the arms of the bifurcated or cutaway portion f being connected together by a cross-bar, f2, arranged in a plane below the upper surface of said arms and parallel with the lower surface or edges of the section B. At its front end the section is provided with a projecting tongue, g, parallel With the upper surface of the casting and at the middle thereof. On the under or lower surface said tongue is provided with a lug or shoulder, h, at its side edges with an outnf'ardlyvprojecting flange, i, arranged below the upper edge thereof, and at its front edge said tongue is provided with a tapering iiange,j, also arranged below the plane of its upper edge and meeting t-he side fianges, fi, which are made tapering from their rear edges to a point where they merge into the flange j.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that each section is provided with a socket at one end for the reception of the tonguel of the adjacent section, and at its opposite end with a tongue which engages the socket ofthe adjacent section. A firm, strong, and iieXible connection is thus provided, and to this particular construction I attach importance, as therein lies the gist of the present invention.

To connect the sections together it is only necessary to tit the lugs z between the notches f of the tongue, and then bring the sections in a line with each other, the sections being arranged at right angles with relation to each other when fitting the fianges of the tongue in the recesses f of the socket of the adjacent section.

When the sections are arranged in a horizontal posit-ion, it will be observed that the tongue lies wholly within the socket of the adjacent section and parallel with the upper and lower surfaces thereof, While at the same time the necessary movement or exibility between the sections is permitted.

The upper rounded faces of the sections are covered or inclosed within a sheath of leather or other suitable material, 7c, the flanges sur- 95 rounding the recesses d d projecting through said sheath to permit the trace-place to be readily engaged and detached therefrom. The lower edges of said sheath are sewed or otherwise suitably secured to a leather strap, K, of roo j a thickness greater than that of the sheath 7c, and equal, or nearly so, to that of the traces,

said strap being arranged in rear of the hame-A tug sections.

By means of the peculiar construction of tongue and socket heretofore described, a minimum of wear from said connection between the sections is brought upon the leather sheath k, which was the principal objection to the device shown in my application hereinbefore referred to, and to other construct-ions at present in use.

By lessening or decreasing the wear and friction upon the sheath it is rendered more durable, and will consequently last much longer and reduce the cost of the device.

The trace-carrier C is provided with a tongue, C', similarin construction to the tongue of the sections, said tongue engaging one of the sectionsockets.

L designates a haineeplate having a socket,-

ets or screws to fasten the hook to the plate.

tions fleXibly and detachably connected together, each section havinga socket provided with lateral seats f at one end, and a projecting tongue g at its opposite end, and provided with lateral tapering fianges, the tongue and anges of one section engaging the socket and seats, respectively, of the adjacent section and lying flush with exterior faces thereof,substan tially as described.

2. A hametug comprising a series of sections exibly and detachably connected together, a tracecarrier, and a hame-plate detachably connected to the sections, and the Whole inclosed within a sheath, each plate or section of the tug having at one end a socket with lateral seats, f', and a lower brace or cross-bar, f2, at its extremity, and at its opposite end a contracted projecting tongue, g, having a lug, h, and forwardly-inclined lateral lugs 13j, the tongue and its lugs of one section engaging the socket and seats of the adjacent section and lying flush with the eX- terior faces thereof, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aiflxed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS L. RIVERS.-

Witnesses:

BERCY JACKSON, ARTHUR R. DENMAN. 

